To tell off teenagers in a shopping centre?

[Whatamidoinhere]

I'm a bit shaken so excuse me if I seem like I'm rambling. I was in a shopping centre this morning with my 2 year old. Saw a group of loud kids, no big deal. There were 6 of them. 3 of them looked about 14 years old, 1 looked a bit younger and 2 of them much younger I'd say 8/9 years old. One of the older ones kept smacking the youngest on his head multiple times really hard you could year it from a far. People walking around seemed shocked as well. The younger one was crying. The older one caught him from behind his back and kept smacking his head/slapping his face while the rest of the teenagers were laughing. I was in utter shock, and my fight or flight kicked in. I went to the one who was hitting and yelled "stop, stop, don't you ever hit anyone like that ever again". He came and stood up very close to my face it was intimidating, but I stood still and looked him in the eye because I didn't want him to feel my fear. He kept shouting in my face "f off who do you think you are" and a myriad of mouth fulls before they all stormed off laughing and swearing at me. I'm Muslim and wear the hijab so they didn't miss the chance to make fun of it as well. The small one who was being hit walked with them as if nothing happened. The thing is the shopping centre was full of people walking by and everyone seemed to be watching without a word. I'm feeling shook and humiliated. AIBU?

The shopping centre's in Cork, not big by any means. I think you're right, the lack of accountability teenagers have makes them get away with horrible things. It doesn't do them any good really. Such appalling behaviour should be nipped in the bud.

You're a brave and decent person - well done for stepping in when others looked the other way

Well done for standing up for that poor boy, you should be really proud of yourself. Please don’t feel humiliated, he was obviously embarrassed by being told off so reacted with aggression and spite, don’t let him get to you. You’re a hero.

Well done OP. I’m sorry you for abuse for standing up for that poor kid. I’m also sorry no-one else intervened, I certainly would have checked you were ok and told the kids to get lost

@Nishky32 thats lovely to hear. I have a similar memory of my grandma from when I was a child and I think that shaped a lot of my thoughts and behaviour growing up. Completely different story but I’ll never forget being tiny with my dad and younger brother in town. He backtracked and went over to a young homeless man and bent down and asked him if he was hungry and then what he would like to eat. Dad bought us a happy meal and the gentleman some food (we didn’t have bags of money growing up). When Dad gave the gentleman his food and drink both men looked at each other and smiled (it’s etched in my memory…I bet Dad won’t remember it now if I bring it up). The gentleman to some of the meat out of his burger and gave it to his dog and told Dad it was his favourite. Funny the things that can shape us x

Don’t be humiliated OP - you’re a legend.

If there were more people like you in the world things would be different ❤️

Thanks ma'am for your insights. Do you have a theology degree? Because what you're saying is neither true nor asked for in the context here.

Well done.

That young child will be feeling extremely great full for your actions today and by reporting you may have just changed a child's life.

It worries me how people aren't afraid to commit assault so publicly nowadays - what's going on behind closed doors must be horrendous.

The first thing I thought when reading your story was James Bulger.

You are an absolute hero OP!! You did a remarkable and brave thing. Be very proud of yourself 🥰

Well donefor standing up for the child. You did the right thing and should be so proud. Ignore any racist insults they may have said. They are uneducated and immature. It was likely the teens sibling so he is probably used to being abused by him sadly. Other people should have stepped in to help you.

Well done you! I also thought not only of James Bulger but also the tragic case of Logan Mwangi, which was more recent.

Your instinct just kicks in. That child was being assaulted, you would not have been wrong to call the police immediately. I hope that the other people just standing staring may have eventually pulled themselves together to go and do something about it too.

OP you re brilliant, well done 👏

@Lovemylittlebear what did your husband do while you confronted them, just stand there like a wet lettuce? Of course you confront them if they’re kicking a ball at your three year old.

That was incredibly brave of you, well done! I hope you’ve managed to do something to ease your nerves this evening!

Good for you OP🦁

It'll be those who think it's a stupid question.

In what world would the OP possibly have been unreasonable?

Good for you. I admire your bravery.

Sorry but your husband stood by? While you put yourself at risk to protect others? Including your own 3 yo child being narrowly missed?

Hope I've misread cos if my H stood by in that situation he would rapidly be an exH.

@WorriedMumofTeen16 he didn’t want to approach the group. He wanted us to take the children and leave. I ignored him and marched over and had a stern word with the group whilst he rounded up the kids and came over to me which coincided with the end of my interaction with the group. We then walked back to the car together. I could see his point of view to be honest. It’s a different way to handle the situation and perhaps a safer way with three small children in tow and myself heavily pregnant.

Good on you. We could all take a leaf out of your book.

Really? Depends whether you see your husband as your protector- I don’t - with being an adult and all that. It reads to me like a very quick situation, with no aggression- he was with the three year old- should he have left the child to be the big caveman

What @Lovemylittlebear has done is show her daughter that you stand up to bullies and don’t stand there like a wet lettuce needing a man to do everything- she’s a hero

We need more people like you in the world

Being the one voice of dissent here, but I do not think yelling in anyones face is acceptable to be honest and it is obviously going to inflame the situation. There were ways of dealing with it that were not so ah, dramatic.

I would have done the same, and have in the past (though not the same situation of course).

My husband always says I shouldn't have done it but I think we all have a duty to step in. It really pisses me off that no one else stepped in with you.

I've asked other people for help before dealing with a situation and been given blank looks like I was the problem. And I still harbour resentment for those people haha.